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Christmas Caroling Party
Wednesday ~ December 10th
5:00pm
The Messenger ~ December 2014 Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and School ▪ San Clemente, California
“Inspired to Love, Encouraged to Think, and Sent to Serve”
Monday ~ December 8th
K-2nd Grade ~ 6:00pm
Friday ~ December 12th
3rd-5th Grade ~ 6:00pm
Preschool & Jr. K
Christmas Program
December 11th & 12th ~ 9:00am
Friday
December
19th
8:00pm to
8:00am
Christmas Eve
Worship Schedule
~ Wednesday ~
December 24, 2014
Noon & 4:30pm
6:30pm & 11:00pm
OSLC Christmas Dinner
Thursday - December 11th
6:00pm @ The Wedgewood
MSYG
Christmas Party
Wednesday
December 17th
6:30pm
Family Advent Celebration!
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, December 21 at 5:00pm
2
Of all the seasons in the church year I think Advent
has to be my favorite. Ever since being a child I have
loved the wreath, the greens, the expectations and
excitement of the season. As a child, Advent was all
about Christmas! It was like the countdown to a
rocket launch, four, three, two, one…Blast Off! Or
in this case…Christmas!
But as I’ve grown older I’ve come to realize that
Advent is much more than just the countdown to
Christmas, Advent is a gift for the soul and a time to
rest in the promises of God. While the entire world
is running around in a frenzy of consumer and
cultural delight; we dare to slow things down and
contemplate what it means for God to be present in
our world. We are filled with joy and expectation it
is true, but we temper this with an understanding that
to move too quickly through such a sacred time
would be to miss out on some of its most important
lessons.
This year we have prepared four special videos, one
for each Sunday of Advent, that will be played as a
call to worship for our morning services. On each
video a question will be asked. For instance, the
first question is “What are you expecting for
Christmas?” The answers will both warm your heart
and tickle your funny bone. But it is what we’ll do
with these questions afterward that will give our
Advent worship a special twist. We’ll take that same
question and ask it in a deeper way. What ARE
YOU EXPECTING this Christmas? In your spiritual
life, with your family, in your celebration of this
holy day…what are you expecting? And what can
you do to help prepare the way? How would you like
God to be at work in your own life during these four
weeks of preparation.
I want to invite you to make Advent worship a
priority this season. I think all of us will benefit from
an Advent experience that helps us dive deeper into
the mystery of Christ’s presence while still allowing
us to enjoy the beauty and wonder of this special
time of year. I want to send out a special invitation
to those of you who have been grieving or in other
ways hurting this past year. I know sometimes it
feels easier to just stay away from worship during
such trying times; but I hope you’ll be able to garner
the strength to join us. It is not a coincidence that
darkness surrounds us more and more during this
Advent season. The darkness is real and we need to
acknowledge it. And yet, out in front of the darkness
shines a light, faint at times, but constant. No
matter our emotional state this Christmas season, all
of us need to keep our eyes on the horizon, waiting,
watching, hoping even in the darkness, for we know
that the light of Christ will not fail us.
From my family to all of you, Happy Advent and a
very Merry Christmas!
Peace,
Pastor Jeff
Pastor’s Page
A call to worship! Advent is good for the soul!
3
December Birthdays, Anniversaries & More
Barbara Hume 12/1
Audrey Seals 12/3
Loretta Cooper 12/4
Joy Herzog 12/4
Brandon Young 12/4
Emelia Aasland 12/5
Casey Brock 12/6
Alina Martin 12/6
Ruth McKeown 12/6
Gared Wilcox 12/6
Ronan Murphy/Lischalk 12/7
Sally Lorimer 12/9
Wade Wilson 12/9
Timothy Skipper 12/11
Keagan Banks 12/12
Collette LaClair 12/13
Richard Turner 12/13
Annika Salwender 12/15
Steve Kos 12/16
Susan Mendoza 12/16
Julie Doyle 12/17
Spencer Hamil 12/17
Kitty Schmitt 12/17
Jennifer Gabira 12/18
Julie McClure 12/18
Marlise Banks 12/19
Adriann Cardoso 12/20
Presley Rennie 12/20
Mike Calvert 12/21
Martin Shira 12/21
Tim Hecht 12/22
Deborah Ramm 12/22
Mike Boquet 12/23
Michael Fitzhugh 12/23
Jeff Young 12/23
Debbi Townsend 12/24
Alice Buswell 12/25
Rev. Karin Boye 12/28
Norma Harkness 12/28
Luke Overin 12/28
~ Birthdays ~
Brian & Pam Burgett 12/6
Chris & Kim Lindholm 12/8
Coby & Liz Derdzinske 12/11
Dane & Amede Hanson 12/13
Mark & Betty Colby 12/29
John* & Shanon Conley 12/30
Pete & Erin Vainoris 12/30
Charles & Kay Wilson 12/30
~ Anniversaries ~
If I missed your birthday, anniversary, have a
wrong date, address, telephone number or e-mail
please call or e-mail the church office at
492-6164 ~ [email protected]
OSLC Christmas Dinner
Thursday - December 11th
6:00pm @ The Wedgewood
November 23, 2014
Jessika Pearl Ephraim
Brett Samuel Ephraim
We welcome Jessica Ephraim and
Brett Ephraim into the Lord’s
family and receive them as a fellow
member of the body of Christ and
pray that their light may always
shine before others.
Donate Online
www.oursaviorsonline.net
4
ADVENT TRADITIONS---
Getting ready for Christmas!
Since the sixth century, the season of Advent has
been set aside as a time of preparation for Christ’s
coming. The word itself is Latin for “coming
towards” (“ad” meaning towards and “vent”
meaning “to come.”)
Through the years, Lutherans have celebrated
Advent through a variety of traditions like the
Advent wreath, a hearty symbol of the everlasting
God on which four candles symbolize Christ’s light,
or the Advent calendar, which often displays a
colorful Christmas scene with each date of the
Advent season printed upon a flap.
In other cultures and Christian faith traditions,
though, there are some interesting Christmas and
Advent traditions, some with deep cultural roots and
others with curious beginnings. Here are some
traditions you may not have heard of:
1. Posadas -- The word “posada” means "shelter"
or "lodging." This Advent custom, popular
throughout the Spanish-speaking world, re-
enacts Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth
to Bethlehem and their search for lodging along
the way. The ritual lasts for nine days (Dec. 16-
24). A group of people travels from house to
house on a route, taking the role of pilgrims
seeking lodging. Those inside the homes are
innkeepers who refuse them. At the last home all
are invited in for prayer and refreshments.
2. Jesse Tree -- a family tree to the extreme! Each
day of Advent a homemade ornament is added to
the Jesse Tree, a small tree or simply a bare
branch. These symbolic ornaments can each
represent a prophecy foretelling of Christ. Other
variations include creating ornaments that
represent the ancestors in the lineage of Christ.
3. The Advent candle -- In the late 19th century,
Advent clocks or Advent candles began to make
an appearance in many homes in Germany.
Dates are marked in a row down the side of the
Advent candle. Every day, the candle is lit and
then burned down to the next date. By Christmas
Day, the entire candle has been used.
4. Santa Lucia (St. Lucy) -- is remembered on the
13th of December. On the morning of St. Lucia’s
Day, the eldest daughters in households dress in
white robes with red sashes and wreaths with
lighted candles on their heads. They carry a
breakfast of coffee, gingerbread cookies and sun-
colored “St. Lucia” saffron buns to their parents’
bedrooms. The younger daughters of the
household follow them carrying a single candle.
Their brothers, called “star boys,” wear tall,
pointed caps.
5. Paper lanterns -- A tradition most likely
adopted from Christian missionaries, in China,
Christians light their homes with decorative
paper lanterns. They might also decorate a “Tree
of Light” with paper chains or flowers.
6. Candy canes -- Did you know that candy canes
started as a way to teach children about Jesus?
Legend has it that candy canes were invented by
a cathedral choirmaster as a way to keep children
quiet during a Christmas Eve service. The design
of the candy, though, was meant to help children
remember the shepherds who visited Jesus.
(adapted from Seeds of the Parish, ELCA)
5
I t is mid-November as I write this article and an FM radio station is already playing non-stop
Christmas music. Christmas carols are probably some of the best loved songs in the world. The
biggest selling singles of many famous singers such as Bing Crosby, Gene Autry & Nat King Cole were
Christmas songs. From Readers Digest, here are the “back stories” to three of my favorite carols:
Away in a Manger – Martin Luther, the German religious reformer, wrote a number of beautiful and stirring hymns
and hymn texts, but this sweet lullaby is not among them – although it has been widely credited to him. For reasons of
his own, one James R. Murray published this verse in 1887 in a collection called Dainty Songs for Lads and Lasses,
labeling it, “Luther’s Cradle Hymn, composed by Martin Luther for his children, and still sung by German mothers to
their little ones,” and then adding his own initials, J.R.M., to confuse the matter further. The poem however, was not
Luther’s or Murray’s, but rather was “borrowed” from a children’s Sunday school book published a couple of years
earlier in Philadelphia. The origin of the tune…is also uncertain, although it is possible that Murray was its composer.
The words are also often sung to the melody used for the Scottish poem, “Flow Gently, Sweet Afton”.
Joy to the World – Thought the triumphant words “Joy to the world” exemplifies the Christmas feeling, this familiar
text is actually a translation based on five verses from Psalm 98 in the Old Testament. Isaac Watts, the English
hymnist and cleric, published his Psalms of David, which contains these verses, in 1719. More than a century later, in
1839, American composer and music educator Lowell Mason decided to set them to music, modestly including the
phrase “From George Frederick Handel,” apparently to honor his idol, the composer of Messiah and many other
masterpieces. For nearly 100 years, the world accepted this ascription, until musicologists pointed out that not a single
phrase in the music can be said to have come straight from any work of Handel’s.
Silent Night – On the afternoon of Christmas Eve in 1818, in a tiny village high in the Austrian Alps, Joseph Mohr,
the local Catholic priest, wrote some appropriate stanzas for the season. The church pipe organ had given out and
could not be repaired in time for that evening, so the church organist, Franz Gruber, wrote a simple tune, setting the
words for a tenor, a bass and two guitars. That very evening, at the midnight service, “Silent Night” was heard for the
first time. The song soon made its way beyond the town of Oberdorf, but anonymously, without mention of composer
or poet. Until the 1850’s, neither Gruber nor Mohr, living in their remote village, knew that their song was rapidly
becoming the most beloved piece of Christmas music ever written – nor did the world know of Gruber and Mohr.
Finally, many of you enjoyed the “Coffee with Jesus” comic from last month. Here is one from 2011 that gives me a
little “food for thought” as we head into a new year.
In His Service,
Karen Skipper ~ Director of Music
December 2014
6
Merry Christmas! Christmas time is a wonderful time to
be involved in youth ministry, to be surrounded by young
people and all of the excitement and energy they bring, it
is a great reminder of how magical life can be. The youth
of Our Savior’s carry on our tradition of celebration and
service into the holidays as well.
Kids Club will enjoy an evening of bouncing and bibles
as we go on our annual ‘Kids Club Bounce party” at the
Big Air Trampoline Park! This is sure to be a fun-filled
event that has many kids from our school and outreach
ministry joining up for a great time of high energy
games, pizza, and love. The kids from Kids Club will
also be joining the other youth from our church in singing
for our Christmas Eve services!
The middle school group will continue its weekly
meetings (which are off the hook lately with record
numbers in attendance) as well as joining with the
combined ministries from OSLC for Christmas caroling
and a big old Christmas party! The middle schoolers will
also join the other groups in singing during our Christmas
Eve services.
The High School youth group is having it’s annual “All
Nighter” later this month and should be another loooong
night of playing, sharing, and coffee! To quote another
brave youth leader “SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK!” truly,
I really like the all nighter, it is just too much!
Our 7th grade confirmands will take their annual trip to
the Third Avenue Charitable Organization this month and
it will surely be a life changer for our kids. Standing and
walking alongside those marginalized by society is a
powerful thing and is not soon forgotten.
The youth ministry of OSLC and I wish you and your
family the most blessed Christmas and the happiest New
Year ever! I am grateful to all of those who have gotten
involved in the youth ministry either physically or
prayerfully (or both); thank you all, I could not do this
without you.
Tidings of comfort and joy,
Bob Cooper,
Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry
Youth and Children’s Ministry
by Bob Cooper - Director of Youth and Children’s Ministry
Youth Calendar
December 2 - Tuesday Kids Club Bounce Party 3:00pm
December 3 - Wednesday 5th Grade Confirmation, Youth Room
MSYG 6:30pm, Youth Room
December 7 - Sunday
HSYG 6:00pm, Youth Room
December 9 - Tuesday
Gilchrist House 6:00pm
December 10 - Wednesday 5th Grade Confirmation 3:00pm, Youth Room
Christmas Caroling 5:00pm
MSYG 6:30pm, Youth Room
December 14 - Sunday HSYG 6:00pm, Youth Room
December 17 - Wednesday 5th Grade Confirmation 3:00pm, Youth Room
MSYG 6:30pm, Youth Room
December 19 - Friday High School All Nighter
December 21 - Sunday HSYG 6:00pm, Youth Room
December 24 - Wednesday No 5th Grade Confirmation
No MSYG
December 26 - Friday 7th Grade Confirmation
Service Trip to T.A.C.O.
December 28 - Sunday HSYG 6:00pm, Youth Room
December 31 - Wednesday No 5th Grade Confirmation
No MSYG
7
Sunday School Lessons!
Follow along with us...
December Stories:
12/07: The Annunciation-Luke 1:26-38
12/14: Mary & Elizabeth-Luke 1:39-56
12/21: Jesus is born-Luke 2:1-20
12/28: The Magi-Matthew 2:1-12
See the Holy Moly video at:
http://www.oursaviorsonline.net/our-
ministries/christian-education-ministry
Christian Education
December 2014
December Family Devotion:
There is just something so magical
about listening and reading Christmas
stories and the reason for the season.
It's one of our family's most favorite
Christmas traditions. It's one of the
most perfect ways to celebrate the
season, and spend some really
wonderful family time together. What could be cozier
than curling up on the couch each night, snuggling in
blankets, and reading about the most beloved time of
year? It's perfection.
How does it work? Wrap 25 Christmas books and
each day in December from the 1st through Christmas
Day, open a book for read together. Once they're
unwrapped, leave them out so they can continue to
read and re-read them. Collect Christmas books
throughout the year or find your favorites when you
can! Christmas Carol, ‘Twas the
Night before Christmas, The gifts
of the magi...the possibilities are
endless! Have the last book you
open on the 25th day be one that
tells the beautiful story of the birth
of our King! Happy Reading
friends...and may the story of
Christmas be with you all year
long!
Family Advent Celebration!
Join Our Savior’s in a special evening of
holiday music, hot cocoa bar with small
treats and a hands-on heritage experience
with activity stations!
Sunday
December 21, 2014
Doors open at 5:00pm
Tree Lighting Ceremony
to begin at 6:00pm
with our
evening service to follow!
Contact Kat Yeakel to
volunteer at
or (949) 292-7910
Fireside Study:
Starting in January. A group for women of all
ages who will inspire one another to grow, trust
and rejoice in our journey! The Fireside Study will
meet the second Thursday of the month at 6:30pm
at a determined location such as congregation
homes or by the beach!
Please contact Kat Yeakel to open your home to
this study!
“I cried...I prayed...he listened...I praised!”
Psalm 66:17-20
8
You Better Watch Out,
You Better Not Cry
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and
Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen.
But do you recall, the most famous breakfast of
all?
December 13th brings us to the last Men’s Breakfast
of 2014. As we quickly approach the hustle and
bustle of the Christmas season, take some time to
slow down and join us for a fantastic breakfast and
great fellowship. Spread the word and ask your
friends and family to join us. Don’t you want to
know the mystery guest chef of the month? What he
will prepare? Here’s a little hint. Breakfast. It may
be breakfast burritos, green chile casserole, spinach
and feta strata, steak and eggs, biscuits and
gravy, eggs benedict, burnt english muffins, fresh
fruit, corned beef hash, kielbasa, vegan chorizo,
retired beans (or is that refried), overdone omelets,
sausage, bacon, pancakes. Gosh, I don’t want to
spoil it, just show up and find out.
Calling all men. Don’t cry because you woke up late
and missed another Men’s Breakfast event! Come
join us with an empty stomach and an open mind. If
you have been attending already, ask someone new
to come.
Saturday, December 13th. Church kitchen. Arrive at
7:00am, if you need to sleep in, or join us at 6:00am
if you can’t seem to sleep. Oh, 6:00am is when the
real men show up and cook breakfast (see list
above).
Peace to you,
John Mulligan
[email protected] ~ 949-212-5590
Like, you know, Like...
Will you like me? Please like me. I want to be liked.
Do you like me? I want a like. Like, you know, a
like. Like us on Facebook. OK, that last one was
real. You should “Like” us on Facebook and follow
the action here at OSLC! #noreallygoaheadanddoit.
OK, hold on, not so fast, we are not on Twitter. Yet.
We launched the OSLC Facebook page at Rally Day
in September. While the goal was to provide another
conduit to communicate with our members, we
reached a great goal recently of 100 Likes. Yes, 100
of you decided to give us a thumbs up and see what
all the excitement was about. We hope that you are
enjoying the content being posted. We are making a
conscious effort to refresh often with events,
pictures, announcements, portions of the Sunday
message and many other aspects of our church life
and community. Please join us and add your
comments and content. Our faithful congregant,
Corey Luckow, has worked diligently to get the
page set up and keep it updated with current and
fresh content. Thanks Corey!
Researching for this article, I came across a picture
of a sign outside a small church that said “You have
one new friend request. From Jesus. Confirm or
Ignore.” Social media is firmly entrenched in our
lives today and it is a primary source of information
for many. Our Savior’s needs to provide a variety of
communications venues to keep our congregation
informed of our activities, seek volunteers, promote
our good works and just have some fun. Let’s face
(book) it, our many ministries reach out into the
local and worldwide community, we should be
proud of these activities and we need to continue
these activities with your help and the help of new
volunteers. We’ll continue to keep you informed of
these activities. Your assignment is to seek out your
fit into the many opportunities our ministries offer.
Please check us out on Facebook and see what you
have been missing. When you Like the OSLC page
you can continue to be updated on the happenings of
the church and get yourself more involved with
YOUR church and community. Please note that in
addition to the OSL Church page, there is an OSL
School Facebook page and a page hosted by Pastor
Jeff, so make sure you Like them all to get the full
scoop.
If you are interested in the OSLC Social Media
program and want to get involved, please reach out
to me. We can certainly use help to further expand
what has been a great start to this aspect of our
Evangelism Ministry and OSLC community.
May God Make His Face Shine Upon You,
John Mulligan, Evangelism Ministry
[email protected] ~ 949-212-5590
9
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT OUR SAVIOR’S
Sunday Morning Bible Study
9:45am ▪ Sanctuary
Book of Exodus! Join us each Sunday Morning in
the Founder’s room at 9:45am as we take a journey
through the book of Exodus! We’ll hit the highlights
of the story of Moses, the confrontation with
Pharaoh, the giving of the 10 commandments and
the journey in the wilderness toward the Promised
Land. No Bible experience necessary.
Wednesday Manna Bible Study
Founders Room
11:00am to 12:15pm every Wednesday
(No Manna on 12/24 and 12/31)
Come and get a jump on the week’s worship as we
look at the Bible texts assigned for the following
Sunday. We’ll read them together and even help
craft the sermon by bringing up questions and
sharing insights. Everyone is welcome!
Wednesday Evening
5:30pm ▪ Founders Room
(No Adult Ed on 12/24 and 12/31)
(Childcare needed...contact Pastor Jeff)
“Give us a King!” We’ll be taking a look at the rise
of the monarchy in ancient Israel. Come and learn
about some of the most colorful people in the Bible,
Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon. Not to mention
the woman who were an important part of the story.
Together we’ll find some important insights for our
faith today as well. Pastor Jeff will lead this study
from 5:30pm – 6:30pm.
Saturday ~ December 13, 2014
7:00am - 8:30am
Calling all men…..
You are invited to join us for a
men's breakfast at OSLC.
RSVP: John Mulligan at [email protected]
Our Savior’s
Christmas Caroling
Tis the season to spread music
and cheer to our community.
On Wednesday, December 10,
Our Savior’s will share the “Good News” of
Christmas with those in our congregation and
community that have difficulty getting out of their
homes. All are welcome!
We will meet at 5:00pm at the Our Savior’s
courtyard. We will form into groups and head out to
sing Christmas carols. Song sheets and directions to
destinations will be provided. All ages are welcome
– children are required to be accompanied by a
parent or other responsible adult.
ALL HANDS ON DECK!!! SUNDAY NIGHT
DECEMBER 28th at 7:00pm!
We'll be getting new carpet for the Sanctuary just in
time for the New Year! That being said we need
about 10 volunteers on SUNDAY NIGHT
DECEMBER 28th at 7:00pm (come to worship
first) to move pews, move altar furniture, and
various items in the closets. Many hands make for
light work…
~ PLEASE COME TO HELP ~
We'll also need folks on Tuesday evening January
30th to put everything back! Please contact Brian
Burgett at [email protected] or the church
office to sign-up to help.
10
Poinsettia Order Form
Order Name _______________________________
Phone # _____________________________
Qty _________ ($15.00 each)
Circle below “In Memory of” or “In Honor of”
(Please print clearly)
In memory of/In honor of:
_________________________________________
In memory of/In honor of:
_________________________________________
In memory of/In honor of:
_________________________________________
In memory of/In honor of:
_________________________________________
Forms available online at
www.oursaviorsonline.net
O ur Savior’s will be selling poinsettias for the
altar for Christmas Eve Worship. You may buy
these in honor or memory of a loved one or dedicate
to family and friends. An insert will be included in
the Christmas Eve Worship folder remembering
those who have had poinsettias bought on their
behalf.
Poinsettias are $15.00 each and you may order more
than one. Please fill out the order form below with all
the information and return it to the offering plate
with your check or you may mail your form and
check to the church office.
All orders & payment are due by
Monday, December 15th. Memo: “Poinsettia”
The 2015 Flower Calendar will be in the
Narthex starting December 14th. If you would
like to give flowers in recognition of a particular
event such as a birthday, anniversary, honor or
memory of a loved one please put your name next
the date in that month. Along with your name
please include the occasion and a phone number if
there are any questions.
first come…
first serve for choice of date.
please try and keep one
family per line.
Flowers are $30.00 each week.
Mail your check to the church office
or drop off in the offering plate.
Include in the memo line “Flowers.”
2015
Flower
Calendar
Join the Festivities
Holly Jolly Christmas
Saturday ~ December 6, 2014
2:00pm ~ 5:00pm
Community Center
100 N. Calle Seville ~ San Clemente
Our Savior's will be hosting a game booth.
5:30pm to 7:30pm
Community Bell Choir
will be performing.
11
November 2014
Highlights
Wes Menke will be ordained November 30th at
2:00pm at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church
in Santa Ana. You are invited to attend. The
council passed a motion to purchase Wes a set of
stoles.
A Thank You goes out to the following:
Karleen Marienthal for the donation to purchase
two front paraments for the Altar and matching
pulpit scarves.
Herman Sillas for placing a full page ad for
OSLC in the back of his new book, A View
From the Pier.
The council approved the selection of carpet for
the Sanctuary.
Respectfully submitted by Liz Derdzinske,
Congregation Council Secretary
Next meeting is December 9, 2014 @ 6:30pm
OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
TREASURER’S FINANCIAL REPORT
OCTOBER 2014
Average October Attendance: 220 people
Average Weekly Offering: $ 7,871/wk
Budget Requirement: $10,860/wk
Current Month FTD Unrestricted Gifts: $31,482 $143,206
Budget: $43,440 $173,760
These are your gifts to the church through general
envelopes and plate offerings; they are used for
operating budget expenses. Annual member
contributions are down and currently 17.58% below
the Congregation approved annual budget needs.
Designated Gifts: $ 860 $ 3,217
World Hunger $ 425 $ 1,571
Habitat for Humanity $ 435 $ 1,646
Church Mortgage Balance: $ 672,459.31*
*monthly mortgage payment for the classroom
building is paid from the school funds
Thank You For Your Stewardship!
Blessings!
Karen Coffee, Treasurer
Kid’s Column
December 2014
12
SOCIAL CONCERNS MINISTRY TEAM NEWS
CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE
There is still time! There are still tags on the tree and children who need
shoes this Christmas. Choose a tag and
return new sneakers or athletic shoes
of the size and gender noted no later
than Wednesday, December 18. The
shoes will be distributed at Family
Assistance Ministries’ annual
Christmas party on Saturday,
December 20. Please leave shoes
UNwrapped.
Brighten a child’s Christmas with a gift
they can really use!
Thank you to Thrivent Financial for
Lutherans for a $450 grant to help purchase shoes.
Welcome INN Breakfasts Saturday, December 13
Saturday, January 3 & 24 7:45—8:30
If you would like to help shop for food, prepare food, assemble bags, or hand-out the food please contact Heidi Works, [email protected] or 361-5179.
“I was hungry and you fed me.”
LOOKING FOR A FAMILY
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
THIS CHRISTMAS? There is still time to make the holidays
merry and bright for a local needy family.
Both Family Assistance Ministries and
San Clemente Military Family Outreach
have families who would appreciate a
helping hand.
Family Assistance Ministries
Adopt-a-Family Program
FAM will match you with a family of
the size you desire. You shop for
gifts from a pre-screened list and
deliver them directly to the family or
to FAM for pick-up. You may also provide food or
grocery store gift cards for Christmas dinner.
Contact: FAM at 949.492.8477
(FAM is located at 1030 Calle Negocio in the
Rancho San Clemente Business Park.)
San Clemente Military Family Outreach
Thank a Family Program
This is a similar program that benefits
needy lower enlisted families housed at the
north end of Camp Pendleton.
Contact: SCMFO at 949.492.2537 or
Are You a Thrivent Member? If you are, “Thank You.” Thrivent Financial members make it possible for Thrivent to provide grants for
community service projects. Our Savior’s has been the recipient of five grants this year:
Quilt supplies $400 Preschool Trike-a-thon $1,600 Bible Study in the OC offering $500
South County Hunger Walk $600 Christmas Giving Tree $450
Action Team Grants is a new member benefit. All Thrivent members (benefit, associate or financial) can
receive two $250 action team grants per year to purchase supplies for a service project of their choosing. All
you need to do is come up with an idea, put together a team, and fill out a simple application form. If
approved, Thrivent will send you a $250 Visa gift card to help fund your project. Go to www.thrivent.com/
actionteam for more information and project ideas. Buildings & Grounds, Youth and the School could all
benefit from your generosity. Linda Howard has additional information, [email protected].
13
OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN SCHOOL NEWS
DECEMBER 2014
The Scholastic Book Fair begins Friday,
December 5th, in room #1. It will run through
Friday, December 12th. Please plan on stopping
by to do some Christmas shopping. The Book
Fair will open before school starts, during lunch
break 11:30-1:00pm and after school. The Book
Fair will also be open before and after all
Christmas performances.
Christmas Performances
The Elementary students have been working
very hard under the direction of Rob Swart.
Their holiday performances are scheduled for:
Monday, 12/8, 6:00 pm
(Kindergarten-2nd grade)
in the Sanctuary
Friday, 12/12, 6:00 pm (3rd-5th grade)
in the Sanctuary.
Friday evening will include a very
special performance of the
children’s handbell choir, directed
by Sharon Guilliams.
April Wells, the Preschool Music teacher, has
scheduled the Preschool performances for:
Thursday, 12/11, 9:00 am
(Tu/Th and Pre-Kindergarten)
in the Sanctuary
Friday, 12/12, 9:00 am
(MWF and Pre-Kindergarten)
in the Sanctuary
The Christmas Giving Tree is here! In
partnership with Family Assistance Ministries, the
school and church families are going to provide
NEW tennis shoes for children who are in need
within our community.
Here is how everyone can help:
Visit the Giving Tree, located in the Narthex
between now and December 18th.
Choose a gift tag(s) from the tree. The gift tag
will have the shoe size and gender of child.
Tape the gift tag on the unwrapped shoebox
and return it to the Narthex by December 18th.
Our Savior’s Lutheran School
Textile Fundraiser
Don’t throw out those used clothes, linens &
draperies! Donate them to Our Savior’s Lutheran
School. A textile recycler will be here on January 22
& 23 to buy them from the school. The money
raised will be used to improve school programs.
Save your textiles (old shoes are OK, too) in plastic
bags and bring them in on January 22 & 23.
14
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
6:00 Community
Bells, YR
2
3:00 Kids Club
Bounce Party
3
11:00 Manna Bible
Study, FR
3:00 5th Grade Conf,
YR
5:30 Adult Bible St,
FR
6:30 MSYG, YR
6:30 Celebration
Singers, Sanc
7:15 6th Grade Conf.,
Sanc
4
8:45 MOPS Mtg
5 Book Fair, Rm 1
6
2:00 Santa’s
Village by the Sea
Event
7 Book Fair, Rm 1
World Hunger
8:30 Bold Worship
9:30 Adult Ed.
10:30 Classic
Worship
6:00 Evening
Worship
6:00 HSYG, YR
8 Book Fair, Rm 1
6:00 Christmas
Musical, K-2nd
9 Book Fair, Rm 1
8:45 PTF Meeting
6:00 Gilchrist
House, HSYG
6:30 Council
Meeting, FR
10 Book Fair, Rm 1
11:00 Manna Bible
Study, FR
5:00 Christmas
Caroling
MSYG Christmas
Party
11 Book Fair, Rm 1
9:00 Preschool
Christmas Musical
6:00 Christmas
Dinner @
Wedgewood
12 Book Fair, Rm 1
9:00 Preschool
Christmas
Musical
6:00 Christmas
Musical, 3rd-5th
13
7:00-8:30 Men’s
Breakfast
@OSLC
7:45 Welcome Inn
Breakfast
14
8:30 Bold Worship
9:30 Adult Ed.
10:30 Classic
Worship
6:00 Evening
Worship
6:00 HSYG, YR
15
9:30 Women’s
Bible Study,
Evey Thomsen
16
9:00 Women’s
Bible Study,
Bonnie Little
6:30 School Board
Meeting
17 11:00 Manna Bible
Study, FR
3:00 5th Grade Conf,
YR
5:30 Adult Bible St,
FR
6:30 MSYG, YR
6:30 Celebration
Singers, Sanc
7:15 6th Grade Conf.,
Sanc
18
8:45 MOPS Mtg
19
No School
8:00pm -8:00am
High School
All Nighter
20
21 8:30 Bold Worship
9:30 Adult Ed.
10:30 Classic
Worship
5:00 Christmas
Tree Lighting
6:00 Evening
Worship
6:00 HSYG, YR
22 Christmas Vacation
School Closed
23 Christmas Vacation
School Closed
24 Christmas Vacation
School Closed
Noon & 4:30pm
6:30pm & 11:00pm
25 Christmas Vacation
School Closed
26 Christmas Vacation
School Closed
7th Grade
Confirmation
Service Trip to
T.A.C.O.
27
28 “Habitat”
8:30 Bold Worship
9:30 Adult Ed.
10:30 Classic
Worship
6:00 Evening
Worship
6:00 HSYG, YR
29 Christmas Vacation
School Closed
30 Christmas Vacation
School Closed
31 Christmas Vacation
School Closed
New Year’s Eve
Holy Communion
Served
every Sunday
1st Sunday
of the month Last Sunday
of each month
15
Congratulation's Wes Menke
On your ordination and call to St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Like us on Facebook Church
www.facebook.com/oursaviorsonline
School www.facebook.com/osls.sc
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church & School
~ The Messenger ~
December 2014
“Inspired to Love, Encouraged to Think, and Sent to Serve”
WORSHIP HOURS
8:30am ~ Bold Worship, Sunday School
9:30am ~ Adult Education
10:30am ~ Classic Worship, Sunday School
6:00pm ~ Evening Worship
Nursery Care available all at all services for children 4 and under!
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org
U.S. POSTAGE
Paid
Permit No. 40
San Clemente, CA
Holiday Schedule of Events 1
Pastor’s Page 2
Birthdays, Anniversaries & More... 3
Advent Traditions 4
Music Notes 5
Youth & Children’s Ministry, Youth Calendar 6
Christian Education 7
Inside this issue:
Men’s Breakfast, Evangelism 8
What’s Happening 9
Poinsettia Order Form 10
Council Notes, Financial, Kids Column 11
Social Concerns 12
School News 13
December 2014 Calendar 14
Church Office
(949) 492-6164 ▪ Fax (949) 492-2904
School Office
(949) 492-6165 ▪ Fax (949) 492-6132
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and School
200 Avenida San Pablo San Clemente California 92672
